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Fireball Flashes Through Midwest Sky

June 17, 2023 10:25a

(WGTD)---The American Meteor Society is investigating a number of reports of a fireball in the early-Saturday morning night sky across the upper Midwest and beyond. 

Here are a few of the reports as posted on the group's website: 

Wheaton, Ill.: I caught the fireball right as it flew by so I saw the bright green ball for just a second before it moved away and left its trail of orange sparks, which lingered for some time before disappearing. This leads me to believe that I saw it right as it was dying off, since it did seem fairly close to the atmosphere. It was really big, bright, and vibrant compared to any flying object I've ever seen.

Madison: It was an orange ball with a spark like trail

Lincoln, Nebraska: Looked as if it shattered in thousands sparklers

Grand Rapids Michigan: Directly over downtown Grand Rapids looking due West

Waukegan: Big flash of light and then what looked like big orange sparks flying down at an angle

Chicago: Yellow-White color. Headed straight down to the horizon from my perspective, I was looking straight north. I saw the tail fade into separate segments briefly, didn't look like the meteoroid itself actually broke apart.

Oconomowoc: I’ve seen meteor showers before. This was the brightest light I’ve ever witnessed at night.

The time frame of the reports was right around 1:30. 

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